Just bought a '51Merc

Axle bearings wear out faster than the others. It might be time for some new ones. They are ball bearings and shouldn't have any radial play at all.
 
WABOOM said:
Is the bearings for the spiders in the diff?
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No bearings for the side gears. They ride directly in the case because they rotate very little- only when going around a corner or when you're stuck and spinning just one wheel.
Sounds like your play could be in the axle splines where the axle shaft fits into the side gears. Watch the axle end as you rotate a side gear back and forth. Some play is normal. There also could be wear in the spider gears where they ride in the center pin Again, no bearings. There are thrust washers between the gears and case which could be worn.
The splines are the most likely wear point causing slack in the rear end.
 
The axles float inside the differential carrier case. The side gears ride on the axles and are held in place by the differential carrier case since they float in there too. The spider pinion gears ride on the little shaft that is held in place by the carrier case. the differential carrier case rides on it's own tapered roller bearings on each side. The axle bearings are the major support for the axles and they are bolted in place in the main case just inboard of the brake backing plates. The axle bearing is a sealed type and presses on the axle with a retainer pressed on there inboard of it to help hold it in place. A large outer bearing retainer bolts the axle assembly into the main housing and has a gasket. There is an axle seal inboard of the axle bearing that is pressed into the main housing. The gasket, seal, & retainer should all be replaced when the axle bearings are replaced. No telling how old the grease in the bearings is.
 
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Trying to find a compatible carrier and I'm having a trouble. All the Dana 44 carrier charts say it does not fit 51 Ford/ Mercury.
 
Yeah I did. They 2 that had that were the 4.27 rear gear.
I also called Windy Hill.
 
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Randy's ring & pinion has the large & small carrier if that is what you need. It would be a good idea to confirm what you need one first. There are clearance specs for the parts that go in there. It would suck to pay a lot of money for something that isn't broke. Those parts don't fit real tight in there since they float a bit but they shouldn't wobble around either. If you do need parts, you are fortunate that these axles were also used in pickups so check with the folks at this link. https://www.randysworldwide.com/dif...+1/2+Ton&drivetype=Rear+Diff+-+RWD&diffid=126

Just don't buy anything till you know exactly what you need. If someone tells you you need something without them visually inspecting it first then that's like a doctor giving you advice over the phone without looking at you and I wouldn't advise that.
 
Can you do a video of the slop never seen the side gears wear out like that you are talking about I seen the pin get wore out the holes

Unless you set one up before they are a lot of work to get it right i have done some unless you have the tools to do it i would take it to some one
 
1931flathead said:
Can you do a video of the slop never seen the side gears wear out like that you are talking about I seen the pin get wore out the holes

Unless you set one up before they are a lot of work to get it right i have done some unless you have the tools to do it i would take it to some one
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I do have a video of it but can't seem to upload the vid. I put 85w140 in it and it is quieter now. We took it out for a 20 mile trip. I mostly just wanted to drive it to Back to the FIFTIES.
 
WABOOM said:
I do have a video of it but can't seem to upload the vid. I put 85w140 in it and it is quieter now. We took it out for a 20 mile trip. I mostly just wanted to drive it to Back to the FIFTIES.
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Sure wish I could really drive back to the "FIFTIES" :cool::)
 
I hope it last for you for the weekend I went to the back to the 50's for years I missed last year and no going this year have to get better to make the drive

This is on more junk yard rohners in Wilmar min but be the best to go there
 
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